Woman Missing For 11 Years Found in Florida

LITITZ, Pa. (AP) -- A Pennsylvania man who became a suspect after his wife vanished 11 years ago says the news that she has surfaced in Florida angers him because of how her disappearance affected their children.

Lee Heist spoke with reporters on Wednesday, after police said Brenda Heist disclosed her identity and told them she took off for Florida on a whim, slept under bridges and ate food scavenged from restaurant trash.

Lee Heist had been investigated as a suspect after she disappeared while they were going through an amicable divorce in 2002.

He said Brenda Heist and their son and daughter have expressed a desire to talk, but for now they're taking things slowly.

He obtained a court order declaring her legally dead a few years ago.

Associated Press Release

LITITZ, Pa. (AP) -- Police in central Pennsylvania say a woman who disappeared after dropping off her children for school 11 years ago has been located in Florida after traveling there with homeless hitchhikers and sleeping beneath bridges.

Lititz Borough Police planned a news conference Wednesday to discuss the case of Brenda Heist, whose husband filed three years ago to have her declared legally dead by Lancaster County courts.

Authorities say Heist turned herself in last week to police in Key Largo, Fla., and she's been living in Key West.

Heist left behind an 8-year-old daughter who's now a college sophomore, and a 12-year-old son who recently graduated from college.

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